The current U.S. Congress is one of the least popular in history. In a recent national poll, only 21% of Americans give it a favorable rating. KCII listeners have a more favorable opinion, giving Congress a 36% rating.

Many are critical of this Congress because of party line based gridlock and inactivity. KCII News spoke to one member of Congress about the gridlock–Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin. Harkin lays much of the blame on what he feels to be an extreme element in the Republican Party–the Tea Party. He also blames the filibuster.

Harkin says that during the 1960’s and 70’s when important civil rights, voting rights, Medicare and Medicaid legislation was passed, there was only one filibuster. Since 2007 there has been 842. Harkin has served as Senator from Iowa since 1985.